Aside from having a super powerful rig, one of the most important parts of creating a great gaming experience is the Gaming Monitor. It controls the visuals, how we see things when we play and how quickly we can do anything. Most brands will claim they have the best gaming monitor, so we’ve put together our 2018 noob friendly buyer’s guide and reviews to help you find the best PS3,PS4,XBOX controllers on PC.

Why you need a Gaming Monitor

A gaming monitor is one of the most important parts of your gaming kit. They are designed to be used in a PC gaming system, so have specific features and specs that make your gaming experience amazing. They boast large screen sizes of 24 to 27 inches, as well as HD and contrast display. These features allow you to see fast moving images sharply and they refresh quickly, which stops any motion blur. If you think about it, why would you buy and play games that are out of this world, without having the best gaming monitor which really allows you to experience it? You don’t want to have the latest game and it run poorly on your monitor.

Best Gaming Monitor for 2018: What To Look For

So with every brand claiming to sell the best gaming monitor, we’ve researched and reviewed them to give you our top 2018 picks. It turns out there is quite a lot of difference between the features and technology used in gaming monitors. What is the best for you will often come down to the function they deliver, as well as your preferences-what you want will depend on what you want to play. Whatever you need, you can be sure to find the best gaming monitor for you on our list.

How we picked

To pick out our best gaming monitors we thought about the best features and specs we would want to look for. These are the same things you should think about when looking to buy a new gaming monitor:

Size and Resolution: 1080p or 1440p or 4K

With the monitor, you should be looking for 1080p, 1440p or 4k resolution, so you get the best and most detailed visual experience possible. A 27 inch monitor will be a big enough size to make sure you can see everything, without being too overpowering.

Panel type: IPS

Rather than going for a TN panel, you should look for an IPS display. They allow you to see things much better from different angles and the colour will be punchy and clear.

G-Sync or FreeSync

What sync technology you go for will depend on the graphics card you have. If you’ve opted for a more high-end Nvidia GPU, then you will need to get G-sync, whereas if you’ve chosen a solid AMD option then you will need FreeSync. Either way, both types will match the refresh rate of your monitor to the frame rate in the game you are playing. Arguably Nvidia G-sync monitors support more refresh rates, but unsurprisingly they are a lot more expensive.

Image quality

A great gaming monitor should produce really clear and strong colours. You want the images to be displayed accurately and with the right colours, any distortion will ruin our gaming experience.

Ports: HDMI and DisplayPort

When looking at a new gaming monitor you need to make sure they have both HDMI and DisplayPorts, and a USB port is also quite useful. The DisplayPort is needed if you have G-Sync as it has more bandwidth. The USB is a useful addition to a monitor, as you can charge or plug in other devices whilst you are gaming.

Adjustability

You should look for a gaming monitor that has really good adjustability and flexibility. You will want to be able to move it up and down to eye level. You don’t want to be one of those people that balances it on a makeshift stand! Make sure you can also move the monitor forward, back and tilt or swivel it in multiple directions. This will allow yo to create the perfect gaming positioning.

Price and value

You won’t need to spend more than $800 to get a really great gaming monitor. If you spend more then you will be investing in an advanced 4k or wide monitor, and if you spend less then you will be making sacrifices to your gaming experience. For example the resolution, sync range or colour may not be so good. Again, it is not a surprise that G-Sync costs more than FreeSync, as Nvidia must be paid for the hardware.

Warranty and customer service

A good monitor will come with a three year warranty, a warranty service and good customer service helpline with people trained in gaming monitors.

How we tested

We tested and measured the various gaming monitors using a variety of tools including a colorimeter and spectrophotometer. We looked at a few key areas of each display including the colour temp, gamma levels, white/black luminance at different brightness levels to look for contrast, and accuracy of the colours. As well as looking at these specific features, we also just used each monitor for a few days for a variety of tasks. That way we put them through normal, everyday tasks that you will be using them for.

Our in-depth reviews are for those competitive multiplayer gamers out there. It is important to understand the key players and how to choose your best gaming monitor, as it will make a real difference to the overall experience. These monitors are much smoother than a normal monitor, and your mouse input will feel much more reactive. You want a smooth, reactive, fluid and lifelike experience from your monitor, which our key players will give you every time.

Part #1 Top 3 Best Overall Gaming Monitor 2018

We start with our top 3 best overall gaming monitors. These are the great all-rounders, that will deliver without breaking the bank. If you’re looking for a great quality gaming monitor, without a particular need to focus on one feature, then these are the gaming monitors for you.

Quick Tips For This Top Pick

At a totally budget friendly price, this pick is energy efficient with an awesome display quality. Boasting a 144hz refresh rate and 1ms response time with the Acer you can get an inexpensive model that can still handle some of the latest game releases.

Editors’ Choice: Acer GN246HL Budget Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

This is an entry-level gaming monitor from Acer. It is quite a typical gaming monitor when you look at its features and specifications. Using its DVI connection and cable you can get the 144hz refresh rate, which is good. The on-screen movement was fluid, with no ghosting or bad contrast. It could be improved if you could tilt the viewing angle a little more, because as soon as you slouch back in your chair the white and black levels suffered. At 24 inches it is really easy to put together, as it is super-thin and everything snaps easily into place, with just a couple of screw to tighten it up.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• HDMI, VGA and DVI-D ports

• Great fluidity

• Value for money

• High refresh rate

Cons:

• No DisplayPort

• No built in speakers

• Limited tilt ability

• Uninspiring design

Bottom Line

This Acer is a good gaming monitor for any gamers who are on a budget. It is good value. You get a high refresh rate which is often one of the most important features for most people. At this price you sacrifice some of the extra tilt and high adjustable, but you end up with more money in your back pocket to spend on the latest games!

Top 2: BenQ ZOWIE Reliable Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

The BenQ Zowie gives you a smooth and responsive gaming experience, with super-clear in game images. It boasts a 240hz refresh rate which ensures it catches all the details and retains flawless and quick paced game viewing. When the image does dark, it improves the black visibility, without washing out the white, and still retaining a good level of colour vibrancy. This model also comes with a shield which helps you focus on your game. It can be moved and adjusted to suit you, but helps you zone in to gaming. Unlike the Acer, this model can easily be adjusted to give you the best viewing angle possible. It also comes with a Display Port, two HDMIs, and a USB. Aside from it being quite a lot heavier than the Acer, the BenQ is a reliable model with everything you need for great gaming.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Shield to improve gaming focus

• Adjustable stand

• 240hz refresh rate

Cons:

• No DyAc

• Heavy weight at nearly 17 lbs

• High price tag

Bottom Line

This model is great for competitive and serious gamers. It comes in at around $500, which isn’t cheap, but you get everything you need for your money. You get a great refresh rate, response time, black equaliser, vibrant colours and the ability to adjust the monitor to suit you. An all round reliable choice.

Top 3: Asus ROG Swift PG279Q Flawless Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

The Asus ROG Swift PG279Q is probably one of the most flawless G-Sync gaming monitors you can buy. It comes in at 27 inches in size, so it isn’t crazily big. It has a refresh rate of 165hz, which is definitely at the higher end of the spectrum, and it also has a good resolution of 2560×1440. It really brings out the detail in the games we tested, with a top notch contrast ratio and low black levels. Like our second pick, it comes with all of the inputs you need, including a DisplayPort and worked really well whatever game we tested. You can move the stand and swivel up to 60 degrees, which gives you a great range of movement, whilst not being a bulky gaming monitor.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Adaptive sync

• High frame rate

• Lots of swivel and tilt

• Amazing contrast and colour

Cons:

• Image quality

• Bulky power brick

Bottom Line

The bottom line with the Asus ROG Swift PG279Q is that it is a really great choice. If you have a Nvidia graphics card then it is a flawless monitor. It has a large monitor, with a high-res screen and adaptive synchronisation at high refresh rates that gives you a great gaming experience.

Brief Summary

When it comes to our top 3 best overall gaming monitors it really comes down to three levels. You can enter into the market with the budget Acer. It delivers on gaming performance, but lacks on the extras, like adjustability. With the mid-range BenQ you get a reliable monitor with all the features you need. If you want to push the boat out and get a top of the range gaming monitor, then the Asus could be right for you. Unless you are a 24/7 gamer, I think the entry model Acer is a safe bet at a really reasonable price.

Part #2 Editor’s Choice: Best 144hz Gaming Monitors

144hz gaming monitors are some of the most popular monitors on the market. They’ve been around a while, but they remain completely awesome. And they’re awesome becasuse they are able to refresh the screen an astonishing 144 times a second, which helps your games appear smooth. Once you’ve had a go at 144hz, you will never are returning to 60hz, we promise you!

Quick Tips For This Top Pick

There is no doubt that this ASUS is a great 144hz LCD model. Coming with 1080p resolution it gives you excellent gaming motion, low blur and super responsive gaming. With lots of gaming-focused features this is a good starter level gaming monitor.

Champion: ASUS VG248QE Entry-level Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

This is a great starter into the world of 144hz. If you’ve been stuck at 60hz for years (and I’m sorry for you if you have!) then this is a solid entry-level model to welcome you to 144hz. It is a 24 inch monitor, with all the ports you need including a DisplayPort and HDMI. This model can be adjusted in any way you want, and is super easy to move. Although it has its 144hz refresh rate, it doesn’t have any adaptive technology like FreeSync or G-Sync, but then again that does mean it will work well with any GPU. This monitor performed well under black and white level testing, and there was banding effect that you sometimes see while gaming. Overall a crisp and clear gaming experience.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Great adjustability

• 144hz refresh rate

• Great colour and crispness

Cons:

• Weak speakers

• No FreeSync or G-Sync

• Overpriced

Bottom Line

This ASUS is a little pricey to be a true entry-leave 144hz gaming model, but it is a brilliant choice for anyone looking to move on up from a 60hz model. You get a really vivid display when playing games, with visuals that are rich with colour and responsive. It performs well across the board and will give you a comfortable overall gaming experience.

Runner-up: BenQ ZOWIE Cutting-edge Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

The BenQ Zowie is a 24 inch model 144hz gaming monitor that comes with a near perfect performance and technology that will bring your gaming experience to life. The 144hz refresh rate and 1ms pixel response time brings you colour and contrast in intense detail. The 1080p resolution is decent enough for most games, and the 144hz spec suits most games. It really delivers on the much needed great colour and contrast performance. The monitor is designed well, with some adjustability available. However, there are some downsides to this gaming monitor. At times, there is some ghosting when you play quick games, so if you have this model it would be good to have some technical experience to make you own tweaks to the OSD.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Great colour and contrast performance

• Strong refresh rate and smooth picture

Cons:

• Limited viewing angles

• Some uneven contrast

Bottom Line

This model gives you everything you need if you are looking to upgrade from an older 60hz gaming monitor. Although it isn’t recommended for beginners, and is a little pricey compared to similar models, there is no doubt it does offer a cutting-edge spec. Features like its anti-blur function make sure the image stays smooth whilst you enjoy the widescreen gaming experience.

Brief Summary

Both our 144hz picks offer the clarity and colour you are looking for. Both are well sized, with a great HD experience and good resolution. The ASUS probably edges the BenQ on ergonomics as well as overall colour and clarity. Although both are probably a little bit overpriced for what they offer, there is no doubt that both are good gaming monitors for the price.

Part #3 Editor’s Choice: Best 1080p Gaming Monitors

When buying a new gaming monitor, resolution comes up high on the list of important things to consider. It is all about how many pixels it displays and how sharp the image will appear. 1080p is pretty much the most common and standard resolution you will find, so we’ve narrowed down the best gaming monitors with this spec.

Quick Tips For This Top Pick

If you’re looking for a smooth gaming experience at a good price then the ViewSonic is a dafe bet. With a sharp 1080p resolution, it is a reliable option for gaming. Any reasonably priced model comes with some limitations, and this model is bit iffy when it comes to colour accuracy, but overall it is a solid monitor.

Champion: ViewSonic VX2452MH Reasonably Priced Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

This gaming monitor is the proof we need that not all models are crazily expensive. You can get a lot for your money with this model, and great gaming performance. What is great is that this 24 inch model has a strong pixel response, sharp images and a good bright picture, without draining all of your power. The VX2452mh’s two-millisecond pixel response makes sure your gaming experience is smooth and seamless. However, at a reasonable price, you always get a few downsides. The ViewSonic could have better colour accuracy and it could be more adjustable to allow you to play from various angles, but I think these are fair sacrifices to make for this price.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Good price

• Energy efficient

• Quick response

Cons:

• Lack of adjustability and tilt

• Limited additional features

Bottom Line

For its price, there is no doubt the ViewSonic gaming monitor is a reasonably priced option. With its 24 inch monitor it gives you great blur free gameplay, without compromising on power. It performs well with colours, but it does lose some light when you view the screen from an angle. Best played straight on!

Runner-up: ASUS VX238H The Competitive Gamer’s Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

The ASUS VX238H is built with a 1080p resolution and fast 1ms response time. The really brilliant resolution, response time and image quality make this a strong option for a competitive gamer. This gaming monitor is made to look good, with a thin black frame and sturdy stand. And it offers an excellent gaming experience too. The 1ms time makes gaming fluid and easy, even with the fastest of games. The contrast ratio also allows you to see the on-screen colours clearly without any issues. It also comes with its own intelligent presets which you an choose from depending on what you are doing on screen. This model has all the ports you need, including a couple of HDMI ports, but is limited when it comes to viewing angles and wall mounting.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Intelligent presets

• Great response time and visibility

• Perfect on-screen picture

Cons:

• Limited viewing angles

• Can’t mount it easily on the wall

Bottom Line

This model is an affordable model for competitive gamers who are starting out seriously in the gaming world. If you’re looking for a 1ms response time at a good price, then this is the monitor for you. Although some of the monitor’s ergonomics let it down, its performance really saves the day, making it a cheap option for serious gamers.

Brief Summary

Both our 1080p picks aren’t perfect. They lack in similar areas. They could both be improved if they had added tilt or adjustable stand options. However, both really win when it comes to gaming performance, display and on-screen visuals. The ViewSonic just edges it over the ASUS for me, as it performs better when it comes to colour and contrast.

Part #4 Editor’s Choice: Best 1440p Gaming Monitors

1080p has for a long time been the most common and popular resolution for monitors. However 1440p is becoming more and more popular by the day. As gamers are spending more on their hardware and graphics cards, then more models can handle 1440p gaming. If you find you keep hitting your monitor’s refresh rate with 1080p, then it may be time to enhance and upgrade to 1440p.

Quick Tips For This Top Pick

This gaming monitor is no doubt one of the most popular 1440p monitors on the market. With a 27 inch screen and excellent features, such as its 144hz refresh rate and G-Sync technology, this model is easily our top pick.

Champion: Dell Gaming S2716DGR Great Value Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

It is no surprise that a Dell monitor performs well. It is a trusted brand that performs much better than any of its other rivals. It often comes in cheaper than more expensive competitor offerings as well, which make it even more of a dream for us hardcore gamers! In terms of performance, the Dell delivers. Combined, the resolution, refresh rate and 1ms response time, make it a good choice. There is some sacrifice to be made with colour accuracy and luminance, but these negatives are outweighed by its responsiveness and G-sync. You won’t find any blurring or ghosting on this model, and the G-Sync really helps the visuals appear smooth and fluid.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• G-Sync

• Superb overall gaming performance

Cons:

• No built in speakers

• Limited colour accuracy and luminance at times

Bottom Line

This gaming monitor comes with all the gaming goodies you could want. You’ve got the refresh rate, G-Sync and a nice design. Although, it lacks perfection with colour accuracy and luminance, it makes up for this in price. As its a Dell, stores will often put it on promotion, taking its price well below that of its competitors, making it a truly great value gaming monitor.

Runner-up: Acer Predator XB271HU The Sweet Spot Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

The Acer Predator is a good, high quality gaming monitor. With the G-Sync and the 144hz refresh rate, there is no doubt that gaming is responsive and smooth. Unlike other models we reviewed, this gaming monitor does well when it comes to its viewing angles. You can adjust it so you can see the screen from lots of angles, and it looks slick with its red accents and feet. You know you’ll be comfortable with this monitor, however you like to play. The Acer Predator does let itself down when it comes to contrast. If you are in a dark place, the blacks tend to look more grey, which is a shame. There is no doubt, when it comes to motion, this monitor is a winner. The response time is remarkable, with no blur or flicker.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• 1440p resolution with 144hz and G-Sync

• Cool ‘Gamer’ design

• Wide viewing angles

Cons:

• Expensive

• Low contrast

Bottom Line

We call this monitor the ‘sweet spot’, because it seems to have exactly what most gamers are looking for. It has the 1440p resolution with 144hz and G-Sync, so it is set up for any Nvidia gamer in terms of the display. On top of that it looks cool, with its red foot design. The real downside is the price, which seems a little steep for a model which does sometimes have low contrast issues.

Brief Summary

Both models have a fast response rate, which means you don’t get any blur or motion issues. The Dell has some issues with picture quality at different angles, and the Predator could perform better when it comes to contrast. The Predator is more expensive, so the Dell is probably the model to go for if you’re looking for the best 1440p monitor on the market.

Part #5 Editor’s Choice: Best 4k Gaming Monitors

With so many more games becoming available in 4k it seems inevitable that most of us will wind up buying a 4k gaming monitor. With ever higher resolution means detail will be better and image quality will become more and more lifelike. So lets take you through our best pick gaming monitors with 4k.

Quick Tips For This Top Pick

The LG 4k model is one of the cheapest gaming monitors around that delivers on 4k. It gives you this awesome level of resolution, whilst still having vibrant colours, as well as a host of extra features. This is one to seriously consider, as more and more games are coming out in 4k by the day.

Champion: LG 27UD58-B A Stellar Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

With the 4k resolution on a 27 inch monitor, you get a really rich pixel density with this LG gaming monitor. It also offers a variety of great viewing angles, so you can be comfortable however you choose to set up. This is a plus, as many other monitors really let us down when it comes to viewing angles. With a 5ms response time, the monitor can keep up with the pace, and the colours remain accurate and flicker free. The gaming experience is smooth and fluid every time, with very little ghosting at all. In addition to our standard expectations the LG comes jam-packed full of features, such as screen split, picture presets and different colour temperatures.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Display and overall performance

• Good value price

• Great viewing angles

Cons:

• No built in speakers or extra USB ports

Bottom Line

The LG gives you everything you could possible need for the perfect gaming experience. The image quality is excellent and the fluidity and smoothness of play is really flawless. For the price, it actually offers a surprisingly strong performance, so snap it up right away!

Runner-up: Acer Predator X34 The Ultra-Wide Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

With its huge, curved 4k monitor, the Acer Predator X34 is really making its mark on the gaming world. The model comes with Nvidia’s G-Sync technology as well, so any errors are smoothed out easily. With this technology, the monitor synchronises the refresh rate to the FPS rate of your GPU in order to eliminate screen tearing. The standard refresh rate is 60hz, which can be easily overcooked to 100hz refresh rate. It doesn’t have a 1ms response time, in fact it sits at 4ms, but there still sent any ghosting or blur when gaming. In fact, the picture is uniform with not poor light quality or bleeding around the edges. There is no doubt that the real selling point of this monitor is the ultra wide display and curve, which makes you feel like you are really in the game.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Amazing colour accuracy and contrast

• Unique curve design

Cons:

• Takes up a lot of space

• Could have a few more ports

• Expensive

Bottom Line

This 34 inch, ultra wide, HD gaming monitor sometimes seems like the gaming monitor of dreams. There really is no doubt if offers one of the most awesome and immersive gaming experiences possible. But it comes at a price, and it isn’t perfect, so maybe don’t get too drawn into the awesomeness of the Acer Predator X34 quite yet!

Brief Summary

The Acer Predator X34 could easily blow you away. Many gamers will say this is the best gaming monitor they have ever played on. And it is awesome. The curve and ultrawide HD display is something really unique. But for me, its a bit flashy and expensive. I’d rather invest in the LG 27UD58-B and get a solid gaming experience at a better price.

Part #6 Editor’s Choice: Best Portable Gaming Monitors

These days we are all rushing around trying to do three things at once, probably living in a pretty small cramped flat. On top of that we are probably all in jobs where flexible working and not having your own desk space is the norm. Portability is fast becoming a necessity at home and work.

Quick Tips For This Top Pick

The LG 4k model is one of the cheapest gaming monitors around that delivers on 4k. It gives you this awesome level of resolution, whilst still having vibrant colours, as well as a host of extra features. This is one to seriously consider, as more and more games are coming out in 4k by the day.

Champion: AOC e1659Fwu Slick Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

Weighing in at 2.4 pounds this really is a portable gaming monitor. At that weight and sizer can easily fit into your bag and go with you anywhere. And it looks slick, withers shiny black finish. In terms of performance, it is good. You can see vibrant colours sharply and it will clearly show dark blacks and greys, but sometimes the colours aren’t 100% accurate. The AOC does come into some problems when looking at the top and bottom angles, as they can come across quite dark. Overall, it is bright enough for daily use, even with its low pixel quality. Ultimately this is a cheap portable gaming monitor, that looks super slick and will fit in your bag. There is not doubt you lose some performance aspects by going portable, but it still does a reasonable job.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Affordable

• Great image quality

Cons:

• Poor colour accuracy

• Reflective screen

Bottom Line

The AOC e1659Fwu is what it says on the tin. It is both affordable and portable. With this model you can take your gaming monitor with you wherever you are. Although the colour accuracy and reflection on the screen are two notable let downs, the picture is still sharp and it is easy to take around with you.

Runner-up: GAEMS M155 On the Go Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

The GAEMS M155 has a high enough resolution to let you game till your hearts content, whilst still being lightweight and easy to carry around with you. It has a 1080p scaled display, that can connect to any HDMI device. This is great as it means you can use the monitor both at home and whilst you are out and about. Thinking about the colours and contrasts, the M155 allows you to customise the settings, so you can tweak the lighting levels until they are right. One downside to this model are the viewing angles. You need to be sat right in front of it to get the most out of it. That, and the fact it picks up dust on its glossy exterior like a magnet, can be really annoying.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Really lightweight

• USB powered

Cons:

• Limited viewing angles

• Glossy finish means lots of messy fingerprints and dust

• Sometimes blurry text

Bottom Line

The GAEMS M155 has a good display for a portable monitor, and really doesn’t drop a frame when gaming. The gaming monitor is simply to set up and comes in at a cheap price, but it does lack in some crucial performance areas. To get good viewing out of it, you need to be sat straight on, so it is quite limited when it comes to good gaming.

Brief Summary

Whilst portable gaming monitors will never give you the quality of gaming performance that a desktop monitor can deliver, these two picks are still pretty decent. If you are looking specifically for something you can use to game on-the-go then its probably worth buying the AOC e1659Fwu.

Part #7 Editor’s Choice: Best Curved Gaming Monitor

Curved gaming monitors are recent arrivals in the gaming world and they are making waves. The curved design really catches your eye and claims to reduce the leakage of light. Not only do they make you feel more immersed in the game, they apparently also reduce eyestrain-great!

Quick Tips For This Top Pick

Curved monitors have truly arrived with the Sceptre C325W-1920R. The ultra-wide and thin screen allows gaming to become real. You can really immerse yourself in the game like never before. Although it takes up a lot of space, the Sceptre is really good value for money and a great first step into curved.

Champion: Sceptre C325W-1920R Ultra Thin Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

The Sceptre C325W-1920R 32 inch curved monitor really is a force of nature. It gives you truly wide viewing angles and creates a 100% immersive experience, with 1080p. It really is the next best thing before virtual reality. It comes with a DisplayPort, HDMI and all the ports you could need. One added bonus is that it also includes blue light shift which helps reduce any eye strain. It displays contrast and colours well, with its LED backlight, which keeps the picture clear and crisp. This monitor also has a 5ms response time, so you shouldn’t see much blur. Although this model is slim, with any ultra-wide curved monitor it is going to take up a lot of space, so this is one drawback, you need to have that right place to put this monitor.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Ultra thin curved screen

• Blue light shift

Cons:

• Takes up a lot of space

Bottom Line

Gaming gets real with this gaming monitor. It has a lot of the normal features, with a high-quality picture and overall experience. Yes, it takes up a lot of space, but thats the sacrifice you must make for a surround, immersive experience. If you are a committed gamer and really want to get deeper into the world of gaming then the Sceptre is the one for you!

Runner-up: LG 34UC89G-B Dependable Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

This is another ultra-wide 34 inch gaming monitor. It includes Nvidia’s G-Sync technology and an impressive refresh rate, that reaches 166hz! The built-in G-Sync helps make sure you have a fluid gaming experience. You won’t see any ghosting or blur with this gaming monitor, and the viewing angles were wide with no shifting of colours. The accuracy of the colours did let this monitor down a little, so if this is crucially important to you, watch out for this. The stand allows you to make both height and tilt adjustments, which is good, as other monitors lack this crucial function. The monitor is curved, but it isn’t as obvious or pronounced as other models, but you can still get the immersive experience you are looking for with this LG.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• G-Sync

• Quick refresh rate and good viewing angles

Cons:

• Expensive

• No advanced colour adjustment options

Bottom Line

This is a great model to let you experience curve-screen gaming. Both the curve, great viewing angles, solid performance and G-Sync, make it a good advanced gaming monitor. Its got a lot of extra features whilst still giving you a quality gaming experience.

Brief Summary

With curved screens, I’d say go for the LG 34UC89G-B. Although the Sceptre is ultra-thin and great at delivering that immersive experience, the LG has a few more features that are great for gamers. Neither option will be cheap, but immersing yourself into that gaming world is priceless right?!

Part #8 Editor’s Choice: Best FreeSync Gaming Monitor

FreeSync is in most gaming monitors these days, because there is little extra cost to including it, as AMD won’t charge any licensing or anything. So it will probably be in most simple, entry level monitors, as well as super advanced and expensive options. So what are out best FreeSync picks?

Quick Tips For This Top Pick

This is meant to be an entry-level gaming monitor, coming in around $200, but actually the ASUS offers a really impressive picture, responsiveness and extra features. It delivers on multiple levels, so is an awesome investment and a great FreeSync gaming monitor.

Champion: ASUS VG245H Awesome Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

Even though this gaming monitor was designed to be simple and for entry-level gamers, it still has a lot of good features. It has a 1080p display and a responsive 75hz refresh rate. It delivers on deep colours and is good both for single and multi-player gaming. When you game on this monitor, the colours are bold and you can’t find any lag or blur. The AMD FreeSync is a great extra, as it prevents screen tearing and makes the whole experience a lot more fluid for gamers with AMD GPUs. Most of the time with gaming monitors you will find the built-in speakers are a let down, but not with this ASUS. They are crisp and good enough to hear the game play well.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Ergonomic model

• Crisp and responsive gaming

• Good built-speakers

• Inexpensive

Cons:

• A little dim at times

Bottom Line

The ASUS VG245H is an awesome gaming monitor for the price. It gives you huge amounts of good value. The display is responsive, with a top of the class picture quality. The design works well and is ergonomic, something you don’t always expect from an entry level model. I can’t recommend this one enough!

Runner-up: ASUS VG278Q Good All Rounder Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

The ASUS VG278Q is a 27 inch HD gaming monitor with 1080p and 144hz refresh rate. It has a 1ms response time and includes FreeSync technology. The spec enables you to have a fully responsive gaming experience, that will stop and blur or smearing during game play. With a refresh rate of 144hz, you can be sure that quick-paced games will appear on screen as they should. As well as performance, the ASUS is well-designed to make sure you can play for a long time in comfort. You can adjust the stand by tilting, swivelling, pivoting and adjusting the height, so it is right for you. As well as the standard features it also comes with extra eye care technology, to help minimise any eye fatigue issues.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Great spec and overall performance

• Great adjustability

Cons:

• Not the best value option

Bottom Line

The ASUS VG278Q is a handy little model that will perform reliably for you. It comes will a top-spec that ensures gaming performance will be enjoyable. Where some models lack in adjustability and comfort, the ASUS wins. It is a good all-rounder with added FreeSync.

Brief Summary

There is no doubt that FreeSync technology makes a gaming monitor extra special. It smooths out any issues, and ensures your gaming is on point. When it comes to these two monitors the ASUS VG245H has to come out on, simply because it gives you so much at such a low price.

Part #9 Editor’s Choice: Best G-Sync Gaming Monitor

G-Sync technology was developed by Nvidia and is arguably the most ground-breaking gaming technology every tome developed. It delivers some of the most fluid and fast paced gaming ever. It achieves this phenomenal performance by aligning refresh rates to the GPU, which prevents and stutter, lug or screen tear. Lets look at our top picks.

Quick Tips For This Top Pick

Theres no doubt that the Dell pick offers exceptional quick refresh rates and the added G-Sync stops any tearing, giving you an all round excellent gaming experience. But it is expensive. This is its only real downside. So lets look at it in more detail and work out if the Dell S2417DG is worth it.

Champion: Dell S2417DG High-Quality Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

Any G-Sync gaming monitor is going to be expensive, but this model is a little on the high side. You may struggle to find it for $400. With this monitor you get high refresh rates of 144hz, a really fast response time and G-Sync. However, it does let itself down when it comes to colour and visibility. The display isn’t amazing, with the colours changing quite significantly and the text washing out in places, but it does come with some picture presets which are great additional features. Although, these issues aren’t too obvious when gaming. When you play you wont notice any blur or ghosting or screen tearing, and the G-Sync makes sure everything is completely smooth and fluid. A great feature of this monitor is that you can rotate it and adjust the stand, so you can game easily from whatever position you want.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Fast, with refresh rats at 144hz

• Nvidia G-Sync technology

• Adjustable stand

Cons:

• Expensive

• Average display quality

Bottom Line

The Dell S2417DG is a good 24 inch monitor, that can clock up to 165hz to achieve ultra-clear gameplay. With added Nvidia G-Sync you can be sure that there won’t be ay screen tearing at all. It could perhaps be a little cheaper, have a better display and a few more video inputs, but overall this model definitely wins on its great gaming performance.

Runner-up: ROG Swift PG278QR The Got it All Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

This gaming monitor is one that really impresses. If you are already thinking about buying a G-Sync monitor, then you will be prepared for the high-end price tag. This one could be the perfect option for you. It has a 27 inch display, with a refresh rate of 144hz, that can again be overclocked to 165hz. When playing it delivered on excellent black levels, with no banding or anything other than smooth and fluid play. Enabling the G-Sync really ensures there is no tearing or blurring, so you can be sure not to encounter any problems with this monitor. The monitor is designed simply, with no garish design additions and it is fully adjustable, so you can easily move it up and around to suit your playing position.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Top quality graphics

• Quick response time

• G-Sync

Cons:

• Less accurate colours

Bottom Line

The ROG Swift PG278QR is the monitor that professional gamers will be happy with. It delivers a brilliant gaming experience, because it has a high-end spcc that most gamers will be thrilled with. The graphics are seamless, and the play is always fluid. Its quick response rate, high hz and lack of blur makes performance perfect every time.

Brief Summary

There isn’t much to choose between these two gaming monitors. When you are considering buying into G-Sync you will have to burn a big hole in your wallet, but if you are prepared to do that, then you will get great returns in terms of gaming experience. Both of these models offer that. Both are reliable and deliver on excellent gameplay. Perhaps the ROG Swift PG278QR edges it slightly, but both are great choices.

Part #10 Editor’s Choice: Best Benq Gaming Monitor

A Benq gaming monitor is a well trusted brand of gaming monitor in the industry. Many of us gamers will have invested in a Benq and had zero problems, so that is why it features here in our review guide. These days there are lots of Benq options on the market, so which is the best and which one should we choose?

Quick Tips For This Top Pick

This gaming monitor delivers on high quality colour quality, as well as smooth and fluid motion images, at this price. With this BenQ you get a good gaming experience, that will ensure you enjoy all your favourite and future favourite games.

Champion: BenQ GL2460HM Decent Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

This Benq is good for gaming, as well as home and work use. It is a 24 inch monitor that delivers a good 1080p resolution. The blacks are inky dark and the colours are always bright and vibrant, which is perfect for serious gamers. The main issue with this model is that the angles could be better. You can’t always see and view from any angle you want, which is a shame. It makes up for this problem when it comes to its low input lag and quick pixel response. There is no doubt that the gameplay is smooth and the image is crisp on this monitor, as it has a 2ms pixel response. Another top feature is that it doesn’t eat away the power, so consumption is minimal.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Great colours and dark blacks

• Really fast pixel response rate

Cons:

• Poor speakers

• Bad viewing angles

Bottom Line

This BenQ really delivers when it comes to strong colours. Although it struggles when it comes to narrow viewing angles, it does deliver on fluid and smooth gameplay. The speakers and additional features could be improved, but overall the basics are all there.

Part #11 Editor’s Choice: Best Dell Gaming Monitor

Dell monitors have been around a while. Like other major brands they are trusted because they are reliable. They deliver when it comes to gaming performance. With so many gaming monitors on the market, how should we know which model is the best one for gaming? We’ve scoured and tested all the different models and bring you our top Dell pick.

Quick Tips For This Top Pick

This well priced Dell is a 28 inch gaming monitor that includes UHD display and super sharp images. It has all the ports you could want, and is affordable for what you get. If you are looking for great imagery and rich audio, then this is the Dell pick for you.

Champion: Dell 28 Ultra HD 4K Monitor The Big Screen Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

This monitor has a slick, well-designed look, with two HDMI ports as well as a full-size and mini DisplayPort. The speakers are embedded in the bottom of the cabinet and deliver when it comes to a rich sound. In contrast, some of the image settings are pretty basic. When it comes to performance, this monitor delivers mixed results. Colour accuracy at times, wasn’t 100% perfect, but the 4k definition ensured the images were really detailed. The 2ms pixel response time ensured there wasn’t much screen tearing and the input lag was not an issue. The UHD panel makes sure that the picture is sharp and full of detail, and it comes in at a really budget friendly price, particularly for such a big 4k screen.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Good price

• 4k picture

• Strong audio

Cons:

• Limited settings

• Bad viewing angles

Bottom Line

This is a big screen option that comes with some serious sacrifices. The TN panel means that there is colour shift when you view from different angles. However the speakers are some of the best we’ve seen with any gaming monitor and you will get a top-quality detailed picture with every game.

Part #12 Editor’s Choice: Best Asus Gaming Monitor

When your gaming monitor is the really centrepiece of your whole gaming setup, you need to choose a brand that is reliable and tested. Finding the right gaming monitor is much more complicated than you may first thing. There are numerous brands out there, each with lots of different models to choose from. So we’ve delved into the world of ASUS and chosen our top pick gaming monitor from them.

Quick Tips For This Top Pick

If you are already happy to pay a little more for a 4k monitor with G-Sync, then this ASUS model could be the one for you. When you are willing to pay more than $900 for a gaming monitor, then you may as well get one of the best on the market, and that is exactly what the ASUS ROG SWIFT PG27AQ is.

Champion: ASUS ROG SWIFT PG27AQ Market-winning Gaming Monitor

About This Gaming Monitor

This gaming monitor offers so much for its high end price tag. It has a 27 inch, 4k display, with G-Sync included to ensure a fluid performance on screen. Unlike other gaming monitors, the ASUS ROG SWIFT PG27AQ comes with really solid and high-quality speakers, which is a welcome surprise. The monitor is designed with futuristic gamers in mind. It has glowing red LED lights and a cool designed base. You can pivot and tilt the stand and screen as much as you like, so there will be no issues with viewing angles. When you play with this monitor you will realise how much you have been missing in terms of gaming performance. The images are sharper and add so much more colour than other monitors without ultra-HD or 4K. It really is gaming perfection.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Great 4k image quality

• High-quality speakers

• G-Sync

Cons:

• A little expensive

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a 4k and G-Sync monitor, then this ASUS ROG SWIFT PG27AQ has got to be one of your top choices. It is one of the higher end models on the market, but it delivers on every level. It is fully adjustable, and has some unique features which really put it a step above the rest. With this gaming monitor you get a stunning image and sound every time and if you invest in it you will not look back.

Part #13 Guide & Tips Time: How to Choose A Gaming Monitor

Panel Types: TN and IPS

The two most popular types of panels for gaming monitors are TN and IPS. TN stands for twisted nematic and are the most common type of panel around. They can be brought for cheap prices, but still offer good refresh rates and response times, although some people do report occasional issues with colour and viewing angles with TN. IPS stands for In-Plane switching and they tend to offer the best colour and contrast, but response time isn’t as good as TN panels, and IPS are often quite pricey too.

1080p or 4k?

1080p is the traditional pixel rate for most monitors at the moment, with HD dimensions of 1920×1080. The good thing about this level of res is that all games and monitor will support this resolution. On top of that, now 4k is around, 1080p monitors are now much more reasonably priced, and they still offer smooth gameplay. The new 4k resolution has a pixel count of 3840×2160, so is double 1080p. And this really means the image is double as fast with double the amount of detail. More and more games are likely to be released in 4k, so you’ll be able to experience the best possible version of the game. One thing to note with 4k is that you willed to upgrade your graphics card, and most of your other gaming kit if you are going to move to 4k, so probably best to wait to move to 4k when you need to overhaul all of your gaming equipment.

Refresh Rate

Refresh rate is all about measuring how often your monitor can refresh the image on the screen every second. It is measured in hertz or hz. Most gaming monitors we have talked about in this guide will have refresh rates of 240hz, 144hz or 60hz. Although a higher refresh rate may seem better, you need to make sure your GPU can handle it. Unless it can push the right amount of frames per second, it won’t run the games as you want, so bear this in mind.

Response Time

Response time is the time it takes a single pixel on your screen to change from black to white or switch between different shades of grey. This is measured in milliseconds, ms. You want to look for a low response time, as this means the image will move more smoothly on the monitor. The higher you go with the ms, the more blur you may see, as the pixels won’t be able to keep up with the quick motion and change of colour on screen. Something to note is that TN type panels we mentioned above can support 1ms response types, but IPS panels can only go as low as 4ms.

Connectors

Most gaming monitors should have three inputs and outputs. They are:

1) HDMI – Transfers video and audio, but doesn’t support high refresh rates in higher resolutions like DisplayPort does.

2) DisplyPort – This is probably the best choice for video and audio transfer.

3) 5mm Audio Out – This output allows you to easily connect your own speakers or headphones to your monitor, instead of trying to find where to connect them in the back panel or motherboard.

You might also find that some monitors have a few USB ports as well, to allow you to charge devices whilst gaming. Some may also have a 3.5mm audio input. Ultimately, both HDMI and DisplayPort can transfer video and sound, so both types of connectors will work well.

Adaptive Sync

FreeSync and G-Sync are the two options when it comes to adaptive sync. You need to think about buying a gaming monitor with one or the other, because they really reduce screen tearing whilst playing games. You will find that some of the picks we’ve included in this guide, and most of the newer models will already come with one of the adaptive sync technologies included. AMD produce FreeSync, which is compatible with AMD graphics cards, and Nvidia have G-Sync, which again, only works with Nvidia graphics cards. Nvidia tends to add about $100 to the cost, but both will get rid of any screen tearing with ease.

How Much Gaming Monitors Cost

Like any technology or gadget, gaming monitors can vary wildly in price. A good and reliable 1080p gaming monitor can be brought for around $150. As soon as you start adding in adaptive sync features or 4k, then the price will increase dramatically, from between $300-$500. For the very best, most advanced gaming monitors, with all the features and the latest technology, you could be looking at anywhere between $500-$1000!

What Gaming Monitor Should I Buy?

When it comes down to it your display really matters in gaming. A gaming monitor can either provide enough, or dare I say it, not enough, colour and brightness to make you feel truly immersed in the experience. On top of that, your gaming monitor will make sure you have a fluid and responsive experience, reacting seamlessly to your moves. For competitive gamers and novices alike, the right gaming monitor can make a world of difference. That is why really considering what gaming monitor you are going to buy is so important.

Brief Summary

These are the key components you should be thinking about when buying a new gaming monitor. You will need to weigh up decisions around pixels, adaptive sync and panel types, and decide what you need and what suits your gaming style. Remember to always come back to our hints and tips for more help and advice!

Part #14 VS Guide: Compare What You are Interesting

1080p vs 1440p vs 4k

Although 1080p has been out for quite a while, that doesn’t mean it isn’t the best resolution. It is in fact great, and will not disappoint gamers. Being around a long time is also really handy, as most games will be compatible with this resolution, and also monitors are more affordable at this level. However if you like to have the latest toy or technology, then upgrade to 1440p or 4k, as the resolution has been improved twice with these and you get much better image quality.

FreeSync vs G-Sync

Both G-Sync and FreeSync were designed to do exactly the same thing. They both stop screen tearing, by smoothing out gameplay and decreasing input lag. Nvidia’s G-Sync is often around $400 more though, but it is the superior technology. It never has ghosting issues, their graphics cards are better than AMDs, and delivers a more reliable performance every single time. Your decision is down to whether you want the value option or the best-in-class.

144hz vs 165hz vs 240hz

With refresh rates the first thing you need to think about is if your GPU can handle it. If it can’t get the frame rate they need, then stick to what you’ve got or invest in a new GPU too. Honestly, you can’t see a huge amount of difference jumping up from 144hz. Unless you have a huge computer and really want to invest in your gaming kit, then 144hz will suit you just fine.

Brief Summary

With all three elements the decision is the same. Any gamer will be happy with the least expensive options – 1080p, FreeSync and 144hz. But if you are a super serious gamer who really wants to invest in the best and latest technology, then firstly upgrade to G-Sync, then maybe choose a higher resolution, and lastly spend your money on a better refresh rate.

If I where you, I would choose the Dell S2417DG, and here are my 3 reasons why

1) The colours are amazing-unlike other gaming monitors this one gives you a vibrant display every time.

2) Nvidia G-Sync-this monitor comes with the best adaptive technology on the market.

3) It’s adjustable-with lots of the other gaming monitors we tested, they often let themselves down when it came to adjustability. This Dell really didn’t. When you buy a monitor, you want to be comfortable gaming, and I’m pleased to say you will be with this one.

Ready for our Gaming Monitor Recommendations?

The Dell S2417DG is my top pick, because you get everything you need for near $400. It’s reasonably priced, is sharp, full of colour and really responsive, as well as adjustable, which isn’t always easy to find. But there are other good gaming monitors on the market which I would recommend. There’s the Acer GN246HL which is a solid entry-level model, that comes in at a budget price, as well as the ASUS VG248QE, which is another good-value 144hz option. The ViewSonic VX2452MH is a solid option if you want a 1080p resolution, and the Dell Gaming S2716DGR is the best at 1440p, with the LG 27UD58-B winning out in the 4k category. These are just some of my other recommendations, but take your time to read through the guide and decide which gaming monitor is the best for you.

Further Reading Time: Read Best Gaming Desktops Ultimate Guide

If you’ve enjoyed reading our guide and want more recommendations and reading, then check out our ultimate guide to the best gaming desktops. I’ll take you through all of my top tips and everything to look for when thinking about buying a gaming desktop.

Conclusion

We will all agree that having a good gaming monitor is one of the most important things in your gaming kit. This guide is all about giving you the information you need to go out and make that important purchase. With our tips and reviews, I’m sure you’ve found the best gaming monitor that suits you. Be sure to check back here for any updates on new monitors!

144hz monitors are more popular than ever, what’s more, they are amazing for the gaming, If you’re in the market for a new 144hz display, Please remember to check out our list of the best 144Hz Gaming Monitors for 2019.

G-Sync is a game-changer,If you want something better than the FreeSync, Then Dive into the world of G-Sync monitor. In this guide, we’ve rated and reviewed 20+cheapest G-Sync monitors currently available for 2019.